Thyroid

Understanding the Determination of Thyroid Dysfunction and Treatment

Conventional western medicine physicians use the level of TSH as their gold standard for treating thyroid dysfunciton. Dr. Linda has found this to be Fool's Gold at best. The assumption is that if TSH is within the reference range so is thyroid function. In her past when she was a laboratory physician, she too believed this to be true. When you measure TSH and Free T4 in controls with no health challenges, there is a correlation: High TSH is indicative of hypothyroidism (underactive) and Low TSH is indicative of hyperthyroidism (overactive). This is not true for patients with health challenges. Many people who have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism are under treated because TSH is Fool's Gold and symptoms are ignored. Dr. Linda refers to this as “sublaboratory” hypothyroidism. Mark Starr, MD coined the term Type 2 Hypothyroidism which means one has clinical symptoms of hypothyroidism, but laboratory value which fall in the reference range.

In order to view the thyroid function correctly through blood work a Reverse T3 must be drawn and compared to see the conversion from Free T3 . Most Docs don't do this and therefore are missing the boat on proper treatment. All of these blood test and possibly more are drawn and ploted on a thyroid gradient to get an accurate picture of how the thyroid hormones convert to see an accurate picture of the thyroid through blood.

The Thyroflex is the only instrument which measures thyroid function. It can be used whehter you are currently taking thyroid replacement or not. Dr. Linda has this instrument and suggests all patients with possible thyroid issues be measured with the Thyroflex. If the results show either an under or over active thyroid function, she orders a gradient of thyroid tests to determine how best to treat. The laboratory values are used as a guide, not as an end point for treatment. Laboratory tests help determine the cause of thyroid dysfunction. For example is the problem primarily an immune disorder or is it a primary thyroid disorder. For more information go to: www.thyroflex.com

*Dr. Hegstrand is very aware of Dr. Brownstein's work with thyroid and has put her own spin on treating thyroid for optimal results.